news
News from the Chamber Auctioneers Smith and Sons has generated in excess of £1.6 million sales at the first auction of 2014. Thirty lots were available, 80% of which are now sold, with further sales expected. Smith and Sons welcomed both existing and new customers, from first time buyers to seasoned investors and developers, all keen to get involved in some healthy, competitive bidding. www.smithandsons.net
Conveyor manufacturer, Sovex, has won the ‘Manufacturing Innovation Award’ at the Made in the Northwest Business Awards 2014. Sovex is now eligible for the prestigious Made in the UK Awards held later this year at the International Festival for Business in July 2014. Sovex, based in Prenton, which specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of conveyor systems won the award for developing its Bendy Boom. www.sovex.com
Lifting and rigging specialists, Hoist UK, has announced that Louise Dickson has been appointed as its General Manager, a new position which is part of the Bromborough based company’s business growth plan. Paul Jordan, Hoist UK director, commented: “Louise has been with the company for over six years now. We recognised her potential almost immediately and we have guided her progress by gaining a thorough knowledge of the company through various roles which have now led up to this present position.” www.hoistuk.co.uk 8 | www.theedgewirral.co.uk
During 2014, Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted is celebrating 25 years of service by planning events and a Silver Ball to be held on the 25th October at the Village Hotel in Bromborough. The charity functions independently supported by its own fund raising activities, grants and donations, offering help, support and advice to those with serious sight problems. Its Ashville Lodge Resource Centre has low vision daily living aids and is open five days per week for drop in information and advice. www.wirralsociety.org.uk
Cabfind.com has seen a 120 % uplift in business for its managed ground transport logistics services as extreme weather brought chaos to the country’s transport network. The business has been helping to keep the country moving by working closely with train companies hit by extreme weather. Over the past few weeks alone Cabfind.com has handled more than 36,000 calls, managed more than 21,000 bookings and moved approximately 30,000 passengers. www.cabfind.com
Wirral Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bennett Williams Solicitors, has helped to identify and find solutions in avoiding 'bad debt’. A joint training workshop - #CashIsKing - gave an
overview to over twenty Chamber members on how effective credit control and debt recovery can ensure a business avoids 'bad debt'. It included topics such as understanding the credit cycle and credit control, dealing with consumers, sole traders and companies, dealing assertively with aggressive or evasive debtors, and late payment legislation and what compensation you can claim. www.bennettwilliamssolicitors.com
Birkenhead based Keith Jones Partnership has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Credit Today Awards 2014 for Litigation Team of the Year. The awards are taking place in May, and this prestigious nomination is recognition for KJP’s team excellence which includes exceptional technical legal expertise, outstanding client/customer care, innovative use of technology,and contribution to the field of debt recovery litigation. www.kjplaw.co.uk
B&M Waste Services has been awarded a new three-year street sweeping contract by North Kesteven District Council. The six-figure deal will see B&M – one of the UK’s largest independent waste, recycling and drainage specialists – providing road sweeping and cleaning services throughout mid-Lincolnshire. B&M has been retained by North Kesteven District Council since 1996, a testament to its high quality and levels of customer service. www.bandmwasteservices.co.uk
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
SHERYL WHITE APOLLO CARE
LOGO
I founded Apollo Care in 2011 due to the poor home care I had witnessed in Wirral while working as a district nurse. Apollo Care provides domiciliary care to people living in their homes. We offer services ranging from full personal care packages to companionship visits. The demand for our services is constantly growing and often for care outside of Wirral, so we decided to franchise the business. As well as social funded and private care packages we also provide short term packages for the growing number of elderly NHS patients. This means patients can be looked after at home instead of hospital which is the better option in most cases. By finding the right people to join the business we always make a positive difference in vulnerable people’s lives through excellent, reliable home care. We are dedicated to supporting new franchisees throughout the life of the franchise to ensure those standards never fall. We think we are the best and we want to ensure that never changes. The franchise model we use is working well. We sold 4 franchises in the first 2 months and they are all growing their businesses and enjoying the challenging experience of running their own domiciliary care business. We have an excellent support package in place. In addition to provided care software, QCQ registration and all paper work, including policies and procedures, we also provide an excellent manager training programme which covers all aspects of running a successful home care agency. We are dedicated to providing the support and knowledge needed to grow the franchises into thriving businesses. Apollo Care franchisees must be people with a genuine passion to improve the quality of home care in their area. They would ideally have a social care or nursing background although this is not essential due to the training we provide. Good communication skills and “people” skills is also a must! My aim is to sell franchises across the North West over the next 2 years. I want Apollo Care to be the preferred home care provider in the North West. Our reputation goes before us and I would like to build on that so people can enjoy excellent home care service wherever they live. We employ all our care staff directly with contracted hours and full training so we also hope to be the most favoured home care employer! …….Big plans to match our ambitions.
0151 650 6996 - www.apollocare.co.uk www.theedgewirral.co.uk | 19